Glove with multi-layer engagement

ABSTRACT

A glove may be structured for multi-layer engagement. The glove may include an object engagement layer, an intermediary support layer and an anatomic engagement layer. The object engagement layer may include an outer distal portion, an outer middle portion, an outer proximal portion, and an outer palm portion. The anatomic engagement layer may include an inner distal portion, an inner middle portion, an inner proximal portion, and an inner palm portion. The support layer may be interposed between the object engagement layer and the anatomic engagement layer.

BACKGROUND

Traditional football gloves merely cover a hand of a user. Typicalgloves, however, lack features configured to specific surfaces of theball. They also lack features configured to specific surfaces of a handof the player. Traditional gloves cover a palm of a user, lackappropriate ventilation and moisture dissipation, and disrupt directcontact between the hand and the ball.

There is a need for gloves and methods as disclosed herein that solvethe above problems. There is a need for a glove configured to optimizeengagement with the ball and the hand of the player, ventilation andmoisture management, and direct tactile feel on the ball. Thisdisclosure provides advantages and solutions over prior attempts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary glove of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary glove of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary inner structure of glove of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of an exemplary glove of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a glove structured to enhance griping,throwing, catching, and carrying of objects such as a ball or othersporting equipment, e.g., a football. The glove may be adapted tooptimize the performance of any user or player such as a wide receiver,tight end, quarterback, or any other position. The glove may be adaptedto enhance grip in all types of weather, temperatures, and humiditylevels. The glove may be configured to optimize grip relative to theobject while providing direct contact for optimized tactile feel of theobject by a hand of the user.

Embodiments may include right-hand and left-hand gloves configured formulti-layer engagement. Each glove may include an intermediary supportlayer, an object engagement layer and an anatomic engagement layer. Theobject engagement layer may include an outwardly facing structure aspart of or secured to an outer surface of the support layer. Theanatomic engagement may include an inwardly facing structure as part ofor secured to an inner surface of the support layer. The objectengagement layer may have a pre-formed or object-customized structure,e.g., protrusions and/or recesses configured to interdigitate withcorresponding structures of the object. The anatomic engagement layermay have a pre-formed or user-customized structure, e.g., protrusionsand/or recesses configured to interdigitate with corresponding anatomicsurfaces of a hand of the user.

One or more layers of the glove may include materials and textures tooptimize grip relative to the object and the user. The glove may includeinterior, support and/or exterior surfaces including leather, elastic,polyurethane, nylon, rubber, latex, neoprene, or a combination thereof.The glove may include one or more water-resistant, non-slip, and/ortacky layers. Merely as an example, one or more layers may include athickness in a range of about 0.008 to 0.024 inches.

The glove may be custom molded to human hands of the user, e.g.,providing the feeling that the player is one with the glove. The glovemay include a window forming an opening across a palm region of theglove, e.g., providing direct exposure between the object and to thehand of the user. This may allow the user to maintain an actual feel ofan object such as a football. The glove may include ventilation areasand channels to increase circulation and airflow throughout the hand.

The glove may include one or more exterior surfaces adapted to enhancegrip relative to an object. The thumb, finger and/or fingertip areas maybe covered by leather, elastic, polyurethane, nylon, rubber, latex,neoprene, or a combination thereof. The glove may include one or moretortuous surface structures in an object-specific arrangement, e.g.,alternating protrusions and recesses that interdigitate with an outersurface of the object such as a football. The glove may also includetacky surfaces configured to provide friction with minimal surfacecontact, e.g., increasing the chances of catching an over-thrownfootball.

The glove may include one or more interior surfaces adapted to increaseengagement with a hand of a user. The glove may include smooth and/orwater-resistant surfaces. The glove may include leather, elastic,polyurethane, nylon, rubber, latex, neoprene, or a combination thereof.The glove may include one or more tortuous surface structures in auser-specific arrangement, e.g., alternating protrusions and recessesthat interdigitate with an outer surface of the hand of the user. Theglove may include a wristband with hook and loop fasteners to provide asnug fit around a wrist of a user.

The glove may be adapted to provide increased grip or friction to resistan object (e.g., a ball such as a football) from slipping upon contactwith the glove and/or user. The glove may include structures adapted toimprove grip in throwing, catching, holding, and carrying the object,e.g., reducing the chances of a running back fumbling a football.

The glove may include visual indicators for improved visibility andappeal. The glove may be packaged individually or in pairs of varyingsizes, colors, and insulation levels. The glove may include insulatedand uninsulated regions adapted for cold, moderate, and warm weather.The glove may include interior, support and/or exterior surfacesincluding leather, elastic, polyurethane, nylon, rubber, latex,neoprene, or a combination thereof. The glove may include expandableportions adapted to stretch to a hand of a user. The glove may includeventilation structures adapted for optimal ventilation and to resistperspiration of a hand of a user. The glove may include one or morewindows or holes providing an opening to a palm, fingers, thumb, and/orfingertips. The glove may be configured to seal against a hand of a userand/or or include water-resistant structures.

Embodiments may include a glove for multi-layer engagement andassociated methods. The glove may include an object engagement layer, anintermediary support layer, and an anatomic engagement layer. The objectengagement layer may include an outer distal portion, an outer middleportion, an outer proximal portion, and an outer palm portion. Theanatomic engagement layer may include an inner distal portion, an innermiddle portion, an inner proximal portion, and an inner palm portion.The support layer may be interposed and secured between the objectengagement layer and the anatomic engagement layer. The outer distalportion, outer middle portion, outer proximal portion, and outer palmportion may extend outwardly from the support layer. The inner distalportion, inner middle portion, inner proximal portion, and inner palmportion may extend inwardly from the support layer.

The outer distal portion, outer middle portion, outer proximal portion,and outer palm portion may include alternating protrusions and recessesconfigured to interdigitate with corresponding object structures of anobject. The inner distal portion, inner middle portion, inner proximalportion, and inner palm portion may include alternating protrusions andrecesses configured to interdigitate with corresponding anatomicalstructures of a hand of a user. The outer palm portion may be adapted toform a unitary or distributed perimeter defined by an outer distalpalmar structure, an outer proximal palmar structure, an outerhypothenar structure, an outer thenar structure, and an outer webstructure. The inner palm portion may be adapted to form a unitary ordistributed perimeter defined by an inner distal palmar structure, aninner proximal palmar structure, an inner hypothenar structure, an innerthenar structure, and an inner web structure.

Embodiments may include a method of a glove for multi-layer engagement.The method may include providing an object engagement layer, anintermediary support layer, and an anatomic engagement layer. Theanatomic engagement layer may include an inner distal portion, an innermiddle portion, an inner proximal portion, and an inner palm portion.The method may include positioning the support layer between the objectengagement layer and the anatomic engagement layer. The method mayinclude securing the object engagement layer to an outer surface of thesupport layer and the anatomic engagement layer to an inner surface ofthe support layer

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate exemplary glove 100 configured for, as an example,multi-layer engagement between an object and a hand of a user. Glove 100may take many different forms and include multiple and/or alternatecomponents, structures, and arrangements. While an exemplary glove 100is shown, the exemplary components are not intended to be limiting, andadditional or alternative components and/or implementations may be used.

Referring to FIG. 1, glove 100 may include one or more support layer101, finger portion 102, tactile window 110, palm portion 112, opening113, wrist portion 114 or a combination thereof. Support layer 101 mayinclude one or more tactile windows 110 providing opening 113 andadapted to provide direct contact and tactile feel between the objectand a hand of a user. Finger portions 102 a,b,c,d,e may be configured toreceive and conform to a thumb, fingers and/or fingertips a user.Support layer 101 may provide support and relative positioning of fingerportions 102, palm portions 112 and wrist portion 114. Respective fingerportions 102 and/or palm portions 112 may be connected at interconnectregions 105. Wrist portion 114 may be adapted to confirm to a wrist of auser. Finger portions 102 a-e may include distal (e.g., distal phalanx)portions 104 a-e, middle (e.g., middle phalanx) portions 106 a-e, andproximal (e.g., proximal phalanx) portions 108 a-e.

Distal portion 104, middle portion 106, proximal portion 108 and/or palmportion 112 may include a substantially or entirely tortuous surfacestructure configured to grip or increase friction relative to an object,may include a substantially or entirely smooth structure configured toslide or reduce friction relative to the object, or a combinationthereof. For example, distal portion 104 may include a tortuous surfacestructure while middle portion 106, proximal portion 108 and/or palmportion 112 may include a smooth structure, or vice versa.

Finger portion 102 and/or palm portion 112 may be configured to optimizeengagement between an object and a hand of a user. Finger portion 102and/or palm portion 112 include a tortuous outer surface configured toengage and interdigitate with an outer surface of the object. Fingerportion 102 and/or palm portion 112 may include one or more curve,texture, stubble pattern, and/or alternating protrusions and recesses.Finger portion 102 and/or palm portion 112 may include or be made of anymaterial configured to optimize engagement with the object such asleather, elastic, polyurethane, nylon, rubber, latex, neoprene, or acombination thereof.

Palm portion 112 may be configured to enhance friction or grip relativeto an object while providing direct contact and tactile feel by a palmof a user. Palm portion 112 may form a perimeter structure 109 along theouter palm area while defining tactile window 110 providing opening 113along and around a palm of a user. Palm portion 112 may be adapted toform the perimeter structure 109 as defined by a distal palmar structure110 a, a proximal palmar structure 110 b, a hypothenar structure 110 c,a thenar structure 110 d, and/or a web structure 110 e. Palm portion 112may be configured to increase grip along the perimeter structure whileproviding direct contact between an object and a palm via opening 113formed by tactile window 110. Tactile window 113 may be configured tooptimize direct engagement between the object and the palm of the user.

Wrist portion 114 may be configured to secure glove 100 relative to ahand of a user. Wrist portion 114 may be configured to conforminglyengage a wrist of the user. Wrist portion 114 may include an elasticmaterial or band. Wrist portion 114 may include a hook and loop fastenerto reduce slack in the wrist portion 114.

FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary glove 100 including, for example, glove 100b with multi-layer engagement. Glove 100 b may include the same,different, or additional components as glove 100 a. Distal portion 104,middle portion 106, proximal portion 108 and/or palm portion 112 mayinclude a substantially or entirely tortuous surface structureconfigured to grip or increase friction relative to an object, mayinclude a substantially or entirely smooth structure configured to slideor reduce friction relative to the object, or a combination thereof. Forexample, distal portion 104 and palm portion 112 may include a tortuoussurface structure while middle portion 106 and proximal portion 108alternate between a tortuous surface structure and a smooth structure,or vice versa.

FIG. 3 illustrates anatomic engagement structure 200 configured to be aninsert attached to or an interior surface of glove 100. Anatomicengagement structure 200 may include tortuous surface structures adaptedto directly engage and interdigitate with anatomic features of a hand,fingers, thumb and palm of a user. Anatomic engagement structure 200 mayinclude one or more support layer 201, finger portion 202, tactilewindow 210, palm portion 212, or a combination thereof. Anatomicengagement structure 200 may include one or more tactile window 210adapted to directly engage a hand of a user and form opening 213 toprovide tactile feel between the object and the hand. Finger portions202 a,b,c,d,e may be configured to receive and conform to the thumb,fingers, and fingertips of a user while palm portion 212 engages thepalm of the user. Finger portions 202 a-e may include distal (e.g.,distal phalanx) portions 204 a-e, middle (e.g., middle phalanx) portions206 a-e, and proximal (e.g., proximal phalanx) portions 208 a-e.

Palm portion 212 may be configured to directly engage anatomic featuresof a hand of a user and enhance grip or friction between anatomicengagement structure 200 and the hand. Palm portion 212 may include aperimeter structure 209 along the outer palm area while defining tactilewindow 210 around a palm of a user. Palm portion 212 may be adapted toform the perimeter structure 209 as defined by a distal palmar structure210 a, a proximal palmar structure 210 b, a hypothenar structure 210 c,a thenar structure 210 d, and/or a web structure 210 e. Palm portion 212may be configured to increase grip along the perimeter structure 209while providing direct contact between an object and a palm via theopening 213 formed by tactile window 210. Tactile window 213 may beconfigured to optimize direct engagement between the object and the palmof the user.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of glove system 300 includingglove 100 and anatomic engagement structure 200. Anatomic engagementstructure 200 may be part of or integral to glove 100, removably orpermanently secured to glove 100, or a combination thereof. Glove 300may include an object engagement layer 301, an intermediary supportlayer 303, and an anatomic engagement layer 305. Anatomic engagementstructure 200 may be configured as an insert attached to or an interiorsurface integral to glove 100. Intermediary support layer 303 may beinterposed between and define the relative position of engagement layer301 and anatomic engagement layer 305.

Object engagement layer 301 may include object engagement structuresadapted to engage and interdigitate with one or more object surfaces ofan object, anatomic engagement layer 305 may include anatomic engagementstructures adapted to engage and interdigitate with one or more anatomicsurfaces of a hand of a user, or a combination thereof. Objectengagement layer 301 may include distal portion 104, middle portion 106,proximal portion 108 and/or palm portion 112 having outwardly extendingstructures configured to engage an object, anatomic engagement layer 305may include distal portion 204, middle portion 206, proximal portion 208and/or palm portion 212 having inwardly extending structures configuredto engage a hand of a user, or a combination thereof. Object engagementlayer 301 may include an outwardly facing structure secured to andextending from an outer surface of intermediary support layer 303,anatomic engagement layer 305 may include an inwardly facing structuresecured to and extending from an inner surface of intermediary supportlayer 303, or a combination thereof. Object engagement layer 301 mayinclude a pre-formed or object-customized structure, e.g., protrusionsand/or recesses configured to interdigitate with correspondingstructures of the object. Anatomic engagement layer 305 may have apre-formed or user-customized structure, e.g., protrusions and/orrecesses configured to interdigitate with corresponding anatomicsurfaces of a hand of the user. Object engagement layer 301 and/oranatomic engagement layer 305 may be integral to, releasably secured, orpermanently adhered to intermediary support layer 303.

The above description is intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examplesprovided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scopeshould be determined, not with reference to the above description, butshould instead be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments willoccur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosedgloves and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments.Modification and variation to the embodiments herein are contemplated.

For example, the components and steps herein may occur in anyarrangement or order. Any of the components herein may form integral,distributed, or separated structures. Any of the steps can be performedsimultaneously, sequentially, or intermittently. Components and/or stepscan be added or omitted. The descriptions herein are provided for thepurpose of illustrating certain embodiments and not to limit the claims.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadestreasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood bythose knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless anexplicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, useof the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be readto recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recitesan explicit limitation to the contrary.

The Abstract of the disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure, but with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description, variousfeatures are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This is not to be interpreted as reflectingan intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A glove for multi-layer engagement comprising: anobject engagement layer including an outer distal portion, an outermiddle portion, an outer proximal portion, and an outer palm portion; ananatomic engagement layer including an inner distal portion, an innermiddle portion, an inner proximal portion, and an inner palm portion;and an intermediary support layer interposed between the objectengagement layer and the anatomic engagement layer.
 2. The glove ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the outer distal portion, outer middleportion, outer proximal portion, and outer palm portion extendsoutwardly from the support layer.
 3. The glove of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the inner distal portion, inner middle portion, innerproximal portion, and inner palm portion extends inwardly from thesupport layer.
 4. The glove of claim 1, wherein at least one of theouter distal portion, outer middle portion, outer proximal portion, andouter palm portion includes a tortuous surface structure in auser-specific arrangement configured to interdigitate with correspondinganatomical structures of a user.
 5. The glove of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the inner distal portion, inner middle portion, innerproximal portion, and inner palm portion includes a tortuous surfacestructure in an object-specific arrangement configured to interdigitatewith corresponding object structures of an object.
 6. The glove of claim1, wherein the outer palm portion is adapted to form an object-specificengagement structure defined by an outer distal palmar perimeter, anouter proximal palmar perimeter, an outer hypothenar perimeter, an outerthenar perimeter, and an outer web perimeter.
 7. The glove of claim 1,wherein the inner palm portion is adapted to form a user-specificengagement structure defined by an inner distal palmar perimeter, aninner proximal palmar perimeter, an inner hypothenar perimeter, an innerthenar perimeter, and an inner web perimeter.
 8. A glove for multi-layerengagement comprising: an object engagement layer; an anatomicengagement layer including an inner distal portion, an inner middleportion, an inner proximal portion, and an inner palm portion; and anintermediary support layer interposed between the object engagementlayer and the anatomic engagement layer.
 9. The glove of claim 8,further comprising at least one of an outer distal portion, outer middleportion, outer proximal portion, and outer palm portion that extendsoutwardly from the support layer.
 10. The glove of claim 8, wherein atleast one of the inner distal portion, inner middle portion, innerproximal portion, and inner palm portion extends inwardly from thesupport layer.
 11. The glove of claim 8, further comprising at least oneof an outer distal portion, outer middle portion, outer proximalportion, and outer palm portion that includes a tortuous surfacestructure.
 12. The glove of claim 8, wherein at least one of the innerdistal portion, inner middle portion, inner proximal portion, and innerpalm portion includes a tortuous surface structure.
 13. The glove ofclaim 8, further comprising an outer palm portion adapted to form anobject-specific engagement structure defined by an outer distal palmarperimeter, an outer proximal palmar perimeter, an outer hypothenarperimeter, an outer thenar perimeter, and an outer web perimeter. 14.The glove of claim 8, wherein the inner palm portion is adapted to forma user-specific engagement structure defined by an inner distal palmarperimeter, an inner proximal palmar perimeter, an inner hypothenarperimeter, an inner thenar perimeter, and an inner web perimeter.
 15. Amethod of a glove for multi-layer engagement, the method comprising:providing an object engagement layer, an intermediary support layer andan anatomic engagement layer, the anatomic engagement layer including aninner distal portion, an inner middle portion, an inner proximalportion, and an inner palm portion; and securing the object engagementlayer to an outer surface of the support layer and the anatomicengagement layer to an inner surface of the support layer.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising providing at least one of anouter distal portion, outer middle portion, outer proximal portion, andouter palm portion that extends outwardly from the support layer. 17.The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the inner distalportion, inner middle portion, inner proximal portion, and inner palmportion extends inwardly from the support layer.
 18. The method of claim15, further comprising providing at least one of an outer distalportion, outer middle portion, outer proximal portion, and outer palmportion that includes a tortuous surface structure configured tointerdigitate with corresponding object structures of an object.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein at least one of the inner distal portion,inner middle portion, inner proximal portion, and inner palm portionincludes a tortuous surface structure configured to interdigitate withcorresponding anatomical structures of a user.
 20. The method of claim15, wherein the inner palm portion is adapted to form a user-specificengagement structure defined by an inner distal palmar perimeter, aninner proximal palmar perimeter, an inner hypothenar perimeter, an innerthenar perimeter, and an inner web perimeter.